C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

the first major issue in seven years. without warranty

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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 04:15 AM
  #1  
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W206 PHEV AMG
the first major issue in seven years. without warranty

some of you knows I have been dealing with rough idle issue for few weeks on the 32. was able to test and rule out a lot of the possible causes DIY. replaced all the wires with magnecor and all the plugs as they were due anyway. all the coil packs also checked out perfectly.

this monday was finally able to get a family friend mechanic to hook it up to STAR and ran couple more test. we've ID it down to cylinder #4 valve either not closing properly or sticking. Do not think it's a bent valve like bullejo had suffered since if that was the case the car would've been making a lot of noises. Originally I thought it was just because one of the plug was loose.

so my conclusion is that the valve springs are done for. anyway just ranting AND shopping around for the best price in labor to replace the springs.

and the damn header on driver side still leaks...

exhaust emits a pulse because of it so I'm guessing it could be the exhaust valves.

Last edited by FrankW; Jul 16, 2009 at 07:30 PM.
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 05:09 AM
  #2  
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02 C32 AMG
oh no! i hope this fix will be as painless as possible for you.....best of luck Frank! hopefully wallet will be ok afterwards
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 08:49 AM
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Frank, just out of curiosity, what's the milage on the 32?
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 09:04 AM
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Thanks for the reminder. My warranty expires in a few short months and I need to re-up asap. Stories like this make me nervous of a ticking time bomb.
Hopefully this doesn't put too much of a dent in your wallet. Keep us posted.
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 09:35 AM
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If it makes you feel any better- even if you had warranty they would not cover it because they would say your header leak is causing the rough idle.

I doubt you need all new springs. If you are in to working on things and not spending money I would disassemble the head and check all the valves and springs and only replace what is necessary. That's if you are sure it is a valve issue.
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 10:15 AM
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I DON'T COME HERE ANYMORE
should you replace just one spring? also-Id think that if you are in there, and have the tools out....I always go full out or skip it (but thats me)-+1 on the dealer prob not covering anyway-you got 7 YEARS with your first issue? I hope mine goes half that
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 10:28 AM
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Frank,
Not to be a pessimist, but when we opened my engine, the springs where just fine. Even after 100K. I'm still using the original springs now. As you may have read, my problem was due to the original cams in the 2002 C32. The original cams are a multi-part pressed in at the factory. It is possible that if it got a little bit loose and the torrerance is not to the original spec, your timing will be off and that will effect the valve function. When I hooked up my car to the STAR system, we saw the same thing that you are seeing. Also, EPC says not to install the old part any more. I wounder why? Good luck.
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 11:03 AM
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CLS55 Designo 030
Good luck Frank.

This is just another chapter in our love/hate relation with the C32s... the key factor is really pin pointing the problem.
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by SilverBulletAMG
Thanks for the reminder. My warranty expires in a few short months and I need to re-up asap. Stories like this make me nervous of a ticking time bomb.
Hopefully this doesn't put too much of a dent in your wallet. Keep us posted.
What warranty route are you going?
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 01:21 PM
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From: Keesler AFB, Gulfport, MS
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Originally Posted by pointman
What warranty route are you going?
Whatever I can get pretty much. I have a good local dealership that turns a blind eye to my mods and has gone to bat for me in the past getting items covered that wouldn't otherwise have been.
Problem is, now nobody wants to give extended warranties to 32's....can't say I blame them either. So, I'll take whatever warranty I can get.

Edit: Sorry to detour off topic but, just called The Auto Club, aka Mercury, and I guess I'm covered through 10/10. Phew! However, I don't think Mercury covers AMGs anymore.

Last edited by SilverBulletAMG; Jul 16, 2009 at 03:21 PM.
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 04:50 PM
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easy fix.. junk it, buy a c63.. what, your scared ..? PPSSSHHHHH..! your wack..

Last edited by saer1one; Jul 16, 2009 at 04:52 PM.
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 04:58 PM
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Dude, all bad.. get that **** fix fast cklass 32's sigh...
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 06:39 PM
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W206 PHEV AMG
Originally Posted by Lenin
Frank,
Not to be a pessimist, but when we opened my engine, the springs where just fine. Even after 100K. I'm still using the original springs now. As you may have read, my problem was due to the original cams in the 2002 C32. The original cams are a multi-part pressed in at the factory. It is possible that if it got a little bit loose and the torrerance is not to the original spec, your timing will be off and that will effect the valve function. When I hooked up my car to the STAR system, we saw the same thing that you are seeing. Also, EPC says not to install the old part any more. I wounder why? Good luck.
so how did you fix the cam? replace or rebuilt?

this could very well be true because of the exhaust note does sound like bad timing as someone commented "sounds like you have cam".

BUT the misfire code on mine is from #4 which as you mentioned that the cam is driven from the front with timing chain the rear end gets loose and caused the issue. another is that the car is not going into limp mode or loosing any power when giving it more gas, so I have no idea.

I'm thinking about just seafoam blast it to see if it's just dirty valves.

Last edited by FrankW; Jul 16, 2009 at 07:26 PM.
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by cdd
Frank, just out of curiosity, what's the milage on the 32?
96k miles.
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 06:43 PM
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wow Frank hope that is the culprit after all you tried. GL
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Zeppelin
If it makes you feel any better- even if you had warranty they would not cover it because they would say your header leak is causing the rough idle.

I doubt you need all new springs. If you are in to working on things and not spending money I would disassemble the head and check all the valves and springs and only replace what is necessary. That's if you are sure it is a valve issue.
i had the header on for a while. the only thing the dealer refused to fix was the leak under extended warranty. everything else they would cover.

i actually don't feel too bad about it. have this car since brand new. 96k in 7.5 year now and nothing really major has ever happened, so I'm still relatively happy. this should be an easy fix.

I am definitely into working on things. however I don't want to blindly tear into the engine because of torque specs etc, so this time around I would leave it to professionals. If I have the proper tools I'd definitely tackle this myself.

Last edited by FrankW; Jul 16, 2009 at 06:46 PM.
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 08:01 PM
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anyway,

thanks to all for listening to my rant. I'll be shopping around for reputable shops to do the work and that may even end up being the dealership with the right hook up.

i'll update once it's fixed.
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by FrankW
so how did you fix the cam? replace or rebuilt?
I replaced mine with new ones from www.parts.com.
Also, have you tried swapping the fuel injectors from #4 with another existing one? Just a thought.
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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 12:33 AM
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Originally Posted by FrankW
anyway,

thanks to all for listening to my rant. I'll be shopping around for reputable shops to do the work and that may even end up being the dealership with the right hook up.

i'll update once it's fixed.
Damm,I have a Mercedes Benz specialists shop here does A++ job, plus i get discount on parts and time (Labor). Just throwing it out there if LA Mercedes Benz specialists shop charge you an arm and leg.
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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 01:00 AM
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Originally Posted by FrankW
i had the header on for a while. the only thing the dealer refused to fix was the leak under extended warranty. everything else they would cover.

i actually don't feel too bad about it. have this car since brand new. 96k in 7.5 year now and nothing really major has ever happened, so I'm still relatively happy. this should be an easy fix.

I am definitely into working on things. however I don't want to blindly tear into the engine because of torque specs etc, so this time around I would leave it to professionals. If I have the proper tools I'd definitely tackle this myself.
yeah i agree...leave engine building to the professionals. Bolt on stuff is diy.
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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 02:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Lenin
I replaced mine with new ones from www.parts.com.
Also, have you tried swapping the fuel injectors from #4 with another existing one? Just a thought.
no on the injector part. when it was first misfiring I smell gas, so I assume the injectors are okay. I have the habit of adding techron fuel injector cleaner every 3-5k miles as well.

just today I started the car the CEL came on immediately. previously the car was able to run without CEL. when the CEL came out the idle right away became a lot rougher. I now think I have the exact same issue as pullejo. I'm not driving it of course. just starting the car on the driveway.

thanks for the website. seems like they are cheaper than getmercedesparts.com too.

one last Q. on the camshaft the driver side is the right or the left side?

thanks

Last edited by FrankW; Jul 17, 2009 at 02:47 AM.
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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 05:34 AM
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Originally Posted by FrankW
one last Q. on the camshaft the driver side is the right or the left side?thanks
Driver side is Left. Was not an issue for me since I replaced both. Get the new camshaft gear to go with the new camshaft. I also swapped the timing chain while I was at it.
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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 11:22 AM
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do the 55's have these issues as well?
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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 02:32 PM
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If you want to drive to bellflower I know a tech that does decent prices.
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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by JonMBZ
If you want to drive to bellflower I know a tech that does decent prices.
saw this a little late, but the car was in limp mode so I can't get far anyway.

drop off the car at local MB specialist. wait and see what goes.
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